Stranraer 1-1 East Fife, Saturday 12th August 2023
Stair Park, cinch League Two
East Fife got their first point of the season against Stranraer on Saturday, after a late Johnny Page goal broke the hearts of the 10-man Blues. Despite more chances flowing and the Fifers having more control of this game, in the early stages, they were too slack in the final third, failing to capitalise on the man advantage.
The sending off in mention came inside the first ten minutes of the contest. Nathan ‘Fash’ Austin was looking to break away from Craig Ross, who, after realising Fash was too quick for him, hauled the striker down, being sent for a very early shower.
That was the start that the Methil Men were hoping for, and in the next 10 minutes, they had two clear chances to take the lead, being denied by goalkeeper McDonald. Shepherd had a crack from outside of the area, which the ‘keeper parried away after 11 minutes, and 5 minutes later Fash had just as good, if not a better chance, managing to wiggle the ball onto his favoured left foot, before McDonald also managed to keep him out.
After the second save, the Fifers fell flat, and allowed the Blues into the game. Fortunately for the Black and Gold, the only good chance was a scuffed effort from side of the penalty spot by Dolan, which fell out for a goal kick.
Half Time- Stranraer 0-0 East Fife
The second half didn’t start well for the Methil Men, as Dolan created the opener for Orr to slot home for Aggy’s Stranraer. It was a good strike, but that was no consolation to the frustration felt on and off the park.
The pick-me-up took a while to come, as East Fife were squandering chance after chance. In the 77th minute however, McManus fouled the aforementioned Dolan in the area, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Allan Fleming made a solid save with the first one, denying Armour from the spot, but the officials forced a re-take judging that Flem was off his line. The goalie went from half-hero to full god moments later, denying Armour yet again, giving the Fifers a boost into the last 10 minutes.
The boost paid dividends with 4 minutes on the clock after a textbook Healy effort was spilled by McDonald, and Johnny Page used all of his experience to slot home, in his league debut this season. Perhaps against the run of play in the second period, the Fifers managed to claw their way to a point, despite all looking gloom.
Credit has to go to Stranraer too, who showed that it is not about the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog, playing with a man down for the vast majority of the game, and still playing an attacking style of football.
The Methil Men are back in action midweek, playing Dundee B in the SPFL Trust Trophy, in the Jute Capital.
Final Score: Stranraer 1 (Orr 54’)- 1 (Page 86’) East Fife.
Report by Oli Anderson
Stranraer – M McDonald, Williamson, Girvan, Ross, Gallagher (Robertson 47’), Dolan (Walker 90’), Forrest, Fleming, McIntosh, Armour, Orr (O McDonald 59’). Subs not used: Hughes, O’Connor
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch, Newton (Docherty 69’), Page, Easton, Millar (McManus 69’), Trouten, Nicol (Healy 53’), Walls, Shepherd, Austin. Subs not used: Schiavone, Philp, Hambrook, Beveridge, Comerford
Referee – Ryan Lee
Attendance - 372